Mania itself. People who suffer from manic depression ("bipolar") have two poles of extreme mood--both depression (low) and mania (high) as colleagues have described. It's important to realize that with just episodes of depression, it is not certain whether the depression is "unipolar" or part of "bipolar". Once one has a manic episode, bipolar is confirmed, even if the depression has not yet appeared.

Mania. Regular (or "unipolar") depression just has low moods, not abnormally high ones. In contrast, manic depression, now called bipolar disorder, has low moods as well as mania, or abnormally high moods. These are like being under the influence of a strong stimulant: rapid speech, excitement, poor social judgment, irritability, and often grandiosity.

Manic-depresssion. Reminds me of the old jimmy hendrix song line. Basically manic depression requires both an episode of depression and a full blown manic episode. This would be classic manic-depression or what we call type i, a briefer episode of elated mood, sleeplessness, pressured speech, irritability, restlessness, impulsiveness etc would be bipolar ii. Some people only have repeating depressive episodes.
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These are different. Diagnosis. People with depression may have bouts with depression followed by periods when they are less depressed. They do not have manic episodes. Bipolar disorder is a physical illness like diabetes that does not go away, it simply can be controlled using and adjusting the proper medication throughout your life. Having a good psychotherapist and psychiatrist is imperative. I hope this helps.
Read more...

Diagnosis. Major depressive disorder is characterized by depressive symptoms that negatively effect quality of life.
Manic depressive disorder is a historical term for what is now bipolar effective disorder. This may include episodes of depression but is characterized by episodes of mania
To stay consistent some refer to major depressive disorder as unipolar depression. .
Read more...

Bipolar. Manic depression, known clinically as Bipolar I and bipolar II, In the first, manic phases are more severe, and in the second, depressive phases are more severe. There is also cyclothymia which is a low grade version of bipolar disorder in general, where mood swings are not as severe in either direction, manic or depressive. Major depressive disorder is only major depression, without any mania.
Read more...

Treat the symptoms. Manic depressive is an older term and is now bi-polar disorder. Don't be too concerned about the name of the disorder. If you are bipolar, antidepressants should only be used along with a mood stabilizer. There are mood stabilizers and antidepressants that have less tendency to add on weight. Psychiatrists should be able to guide you to a medication regimen that will not cause weight gain.
Read more...

There are other meds. While bipolar treatments such as lithium & valproate, as well as drugs like Risperidone are commonly associated with weight gain, there are alternatives. Talk to your psychiatrist.
For example, lurasidone (a medication from the same class as risperidone) could be used off-label for bipolar d/o and has been less associated with weight gain. Carbamezepine and Lamotrigine are also other options.
Read more...

Manic Depressive =. Bipolar Disorder. There are a number of different medications that can be used to treat bipolar disorder. There is a significant difference in potential for weight gain amongst these medications.Discuss your concerns about the side effect of weight gain with your prescribing physician. Take care.
Read more...

See below. As was said before, medication to stabilize mood and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy will help with sx awareness, work on treatment adherence, establishing daily routine, and self-care. Psychotherapy also will help with creating a "crisis card" things to do/people to contact when sx return.
Read more...

Genetics. Maybe a collegeau can give you a more precise answer in regards to true %. We do know bipolar does run in families. Also there is much controversy among physicians based on how liberal they boarden the criteria. Working with mostly children and adolescents is use the dsm-4tr criteria, as younger patients clinical presentation changes over time, getting a good family history is helpful.
Read more...

20% If a first degree relative (i.e. Father, mother, siblings) has bipolar disorder, the lifetime risk of developing an affective disorder (i.e.Depression, alcoholism, or bipolar disorder) is 20%. The risk among the general population is 1%.
The good news is that there are effective treatments available. The bad news is that people must desire or want to take these meds.
Read more...

Agree with Dr. Kwok. Also remember that having a genetic predisposition is not the only determinant of whether the disorder will be expressed. Environmental issues also play an important role.
Read more...

Manic-depresssion. Reminds me of the old jimmy hendrix song line. Basically manic depression requires both an episode of depression and a full blown manic episode. This would be classic manic-depression or what we call type i, a briefer episode of elated mood, sleeplessness, pressured speech, irritability, restlessness, impulsiveness etc would be bipolar ii. Some people only have repeating depressive episodes.
Read more...

These are different. Diagnosis. People with depression may have bouts with depression followed by periods when they are less depressed. They do not have manic episodes. Bipolar disorder is a physical illness like diabetes that does not go away, it simply can be controlled using and adjusting the proper medication throughout your life. Having a good psychotherapist and psychiatrist is imperative. I hope this helps.
Read more...

Diagnosis. Major depressive disorder is characterized by depressive symptoms that negatively effect quality of life.
Manic depressive disorder is a historical term for what is now bipolar effective disorder. This may include episodes of depression but is characterized by episodes of mania
To stay consistent some refer to major depressive disorder as unipolar depression. .
Read more...

Bipolar. Manic depression, known clinically as Bipolar I and bipolar II, In the first, manic phases are more severe, and in the second, depressive phases are more severe. There is also cyclothymia which is a low grade version of bipolar disorder in general, where mood swings are not as severe in either direction, manic or depressive. Major depressive disorder is only major depression, without any mania.
Read more...

Treat the symptoms. Manic depressive is an older term and is now bi-polar disorder. Don't be too concerned about the name of the disorder. If you are bipolar, antidepressants should only be used along with a mood stabilizer. There are mood stabilizers and antidepressants that have less tendency to add on weight. Psychiatrists should be able to guide you to a medication regimen that will not cause weight gain.
Read more...

There are other meds. While bipolar treatments such as lithium & valproate, as well as drugs like Risperidone are commonly associated with weight gain, there are alternatives. Talk to your psychiatrist.
For example, lurasidone (a medication from the same class as risperidone) could be used off-label for bipolar d/o and has been less associated with weight gain. Carbamezepine and Lamotrigine are also other options.
Read more...

Manic Depressive =. Bipolar Disorder. There are a number of different medications that can be used to treat bipolar disorder. There is a significant difference in potential for weight gain amongst these medications.Discuss your concerns about the side effect of weight gain with your prescribing physician. Take care.
Read more...

See below. As was said before, medication to stabilize mood and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy will help with sx awareness, work on treatment adherence, establishing daily routine, and self-care. Psychotherapy also will help with creating a "crisis card" things to do/people to contact when sx return.
Read more...

Genetics. Maybe a collegeau can give you a more precise answer in regards to true %. We do know bipolar does run in families. Also there is much controversy among physicians based on how liberal they boarden the criteria. Working with mostly children and adolescents is use the dsm-4tr criteria, as younger patients clinical presentation changes over time, getting a good family history is helpful.
Read more...

20% If a first degree relative (i.e. Father, mother, siblings) has bipolar disorder, the lifetime risk of developing an affective disorder (i.e.Depression, alcoholism, or bipolar disorder) is 20%. The risk among the general population is 1%.
The good news is that there are effective treatments available. The bad news is that people must desire or want to take these meds.
Read more...

Agree with Dr. Kwok. Also remember that having a genetic predisposition is not the only determinant of whether the disorder will be expressed. Environmental issues also play an important role.
Read more...